Greenware and consumption patterns in 14th-century Singapore : case study of STA sub-assemblage

Abstract

The study of porcelain has often been focused on blue and white wares, with much less attention on green porcelain. There has been research conducted on green porcelain, but their focus is usually on Chinese sites and wares that are of a better quality. These wares, produced from Longquan kilns, have received more attention than wares of a non-Longquan provenance. Furthermore, research in Singapore regarding green porcelain has focused on scientific testing, and usually comparative studies with other wares. This thesis hence contributes to the literature on green porcelain in Singapore by creating a typology based on form, size, and quality to better identify what green porcelain vessels were imported to the St. Andrews’ Cathedral (STA). This study employed a quantitative and qualitative approach to determine the consumption patterns of inhabitant and/or users of the STA site.